Doorperson of the month: Dennis Miko

Dennis Miko’s face registered complete surprise when informed he had been selected as Doorperson of the Month. But it’s not surprising after 25 years at Pearson on the Park. Dennis says, “It’s been and continues to be, a great ride.”

Dennis joined the crew back in 1997. He is a born-and-bred Chicagoan. His tenure at Pearson on the Park has taken several shapes and forms, from serving in the maintenance department all the way to head doorperson. Dennis credits his happiness and success at this building to his “positive attitude and team spirit.” He goes on to emphasize that there is no such thing as a menial task, and all employees fill in where help is needed.

Dennis wanted to work at Pearson on the Park from the start. He was familiar with the neighborhood, as his mother worked at a nearby grocery store. The building is situated just a few blocks from Lake Michigan and across Pearson St. to Lake Shore Park, with a track, tennis and a park for kids. Pearson on the Park is nicely nestled near the Northwestern Hospital Campus and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The residents enjoy Dennis because he credits one of his strengths as “having a good sense of humor.” When an older resident went to use the revolving door, Dennis got the door for her, but joked that he wasn’t going to let her in. Clearly, she was delighted, smiled and took a seat in the lobby to rest from the hot, humid day.

When posed the question, “What’s a big challenge at Pearson on the Park?” enter a young mother struggling through the lobby complete with a crying baby in the stroller. We agreed that, indeed, a crying baby would be a challenge as he moved quickly to help her get out the door. He talks about both the neighborhood and building changing over the years. “It’s a younger population and the building switched over from rentals to condos.”

Having worked both the overnight shift and the swing shift through the years “I’m pretty settled and happy with my 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.”  Dennis says that there are very busy times, but tries to “greet the incoming and outgoing residents with a smile and in good humor.”

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@Chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why they should be the doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.